74 



five lower labials in contact with anterior chin 

 shields. Scales keeled (often strongly) and in 

 seventeen rows. Ventrals 190-208, anal divided; 

 subcaudals 95-135, divided. Average size six feet 

 six inches, but I have obtained specimens in 

 Ceylon over nine feet in length. 



Colour, brown, grey or black, sometimes with 

 a very deep green tinge, body often has narrow 

 black crossbands on the anterior portion and on 

 the tail. Ventrals yellow (low country in Ceylon), 

 or white (up-country in Ceylon). Young are light 

 in colour, and somewhat resemble the Zamenis 

 fasciolatus. 



This snake is the largest of the Colubridae 

 (except perhaps the Naia Bungarus, which, how- 

 ever, is not found in Ceylon). It is commonly 

 known as the Rat-snake (Dhaman in India), and is 

 the commonest of Ceylon snakes, being often 

 found in the roofs of bungalows, where it goes to 

 catch rats. Very swift in movement, and extremely 

 savage if hurt or cornered. 



Coluber Helena. 



Head distinct from neck. Eye moderate, 

 with round pupil. Frontal as long as its distance 

 end of snout, shorter than the parietals ; one large 

 praeocular, two postoculars. Nine (sometimes ten 

 or eleven) upper labials, fifth and sixth, or fourth, 

 fifth and sixth entering the eye ; five or six lower 

 labials in contact with the anterior chin shields. 

 Scales in 23 to 27 rows, smooth (or feebly keeled), 

 Ventrals 220-265 ; anal entire ; subcaudals 75-94, 

 in two rows. Body elongate and slightly com- 

 pressed, Grows to between four and five feet. 



Colour, light brown with dark crossbands or 

 festoon marks enclosing white ocelli. In the adult 

 the marking is indistinct or absent. It usually has 

 a vertebral series of black spots on anterior part of 



